p.6 #2 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
InSanE wrote:
I thought refurbishing such rare items actually decreases value?
When was it done?
I have no idea, but judging from the age of the box, I’d say Nikon refurbished it quite a long time ago, and the refurbished box with Nikon product stickers and matching serial number looked like it had been sealed until I opened it. As for refurbished value versus non-refurbished, I suppose it depends on the buyer. For me, it meant I knew I was getting a rare 20+ year old lens in new condition with all accessories, but for the next buyer, I’m not sure. Any of these having been offered for sale could have been refurbished along the way — no way to know.
p.6 #3 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
I think “restoration” might do that.
But refurbished by manufacturer is not the same as a restoration. There may have been next to nothing done to this lens or maybe a small component was replaced. Either way this appears as new. Not the same as a dinged up lens getting a fresh coat of paint. In the pictures above this copy is immaculate. Probably one of the best condition ones that exist.
InSanE wrote:
I thought refurbishing such rare items actually decreases value?
When was it done?
p.6 #9 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Edgy01 wrote:
Clearly, what you ARE, is the only guy on planet earth with a 13mm STILL UNDER WARRANTY!
Dan
Right? Crazy.
I did call Nikon lens tech support the other day to see if they could look up the serial number to tell me anything about it, and the guy told me they recycle the serial numbers after so many years. He said these don't even show up in the system any more.
p.6 #11 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
According to Peter Braczko's "Complete Nikon System," the first production was March 1976. The AI version was released a year later, first serial number was 175055. The third version (AI/S) was released in Oct 1981, serial number started with 175901. I'd post an image of the page from the book but I do not believe I am able to do so here.
p.6 #13 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Donzo98 wrote:
Henry...
Crazy story huh??
How does BH determine the value of things like that??
Seems like it fell through through the cracks...
They could probably sink $20K on Google Ads and not get the kind of social impact this is getting them. This thread, the article at Petapixel (over 200 Facebook shares already), the mention on Nikonrumors (supposed to be out today), and whomever else picks up the story, these links will hang around a long time. And people who read all these stories will think searching the B&H Photo site might find them "hidden treasure". They also will read us discussing how if it weren't B&H, we wouldn't have trusted the listing / and that we knew if it was wrong, how B&H would make good on it and allow a return.
Intentional or not, I hope they get their money's worth out of this
p.6 #14 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
highdesertmesa wrote:
They could probably sink $20K on Google Ads and not get the kind of social impact this is getting them. This thread, the article at Petapixel (over 200 Facebook shares already), the mention on Nikonrumors (supposed to be out today), and whomever else picks up the story, these links will hang around a long time. And people who read all these stories will think searching the B&H Photo site might find them "hidden treasure".
That may very well be true... but they still screwed up!! No doubt about that...
p.6 #17 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Congrats on the article. Well written and great pics to show off the lens. Like above don’t worry about answering the negative posters. A bit of jealousy there mostly. Just engage the more level headed individuals.
As you can see Ken Rockwell is also a bit polarizing. A lot of people don’t realize you can’t take him entirely seriously in what he writes because they don’t recognize he likes to have a bit of fun in his writing and not every statement made is to be taken seriously. Still his site can be very informative and there are few places where you can find as much information on a such a wide variety of Nikon products.
p.6 #19 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
jpelt78 wrote:
Congrats on the article. Well written and great pics to show off the lens. Like above don’t worry about answering the negative posters. A bit of jealousy there mostly. Just engage the more level headed individuals.
As you can see Ken Rockwell is also a bit polarizing. A lot of people don’t realize you can’t take him entirely seriously in what he writes because they don’t recognize he likes to have a bit of fun in his writing and not every statement made is to be taken seriously. Still his site can be very informative and there are few places where you can find as much information on a such a wide variety of Nikon products. ...Show more →
Thanks for the congrats. They asked for a few more sentences, and I wrote them that article back on my phone yesterday. Oddly enough, some of the people posting the crazier comments ended up in a reasonable place. That doesn't even happen here sometimes
One thing is for sure about Ken Rockwell – he found the "Holy Grail" of Google search rankings.
p.6 #20 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Thank you James for starting this thread. There is a lot of negativity with gear acquisitions and people being aligned with brands and it is so refreshing to share the excitement with this legend of a lens.
